Hope Rocks! Ready when you are, Jupiter!

Hope Rocks!

Many (myself included) are rejoicing in the fact that Mercury the scribe has completed its retrograde period, along with Uranus the rebel—two planets that reign supreme over my countenance of late. All that’s left is the direct motion of Jupiter, coming on Christmas Day! Hooray! Writings in the Sky has a nice rundown of all the exciting planetary activity, as well.

I had commented earlier on Jupiter’s role in lifting spirits, evoking optimism, and providing a foundation of hope. Lord (or whoever you wish to insert in the name of cosmic magnificence) knows, I ride on the pinwheel of positivity whenever I can. And sometimes, I wonder whether I’m mistaking the hopeful influence of Jupiter for the escapist influence of Neptune. I can’t deny the tendency to lose myself in music or daydreams in order to cope with a difficult situation. But then, I realize that there is a distinct difference between the two:

Jupiter = Belief; Neptune = Surrender

When I set forth to achieve something, I believe in its completion. When I listen to music, I surrender to its purpose.

So during these periods of retrograde, it’s not that I lose my beliefs—rather, I need to examine the basis of my beliefs to make sure that they are strong enough and valid enough to support me during a period of testing. Saturn has a nasty way of testing beliefs, especially when they are foolish or outdated. And when I’m ready, I turn to Neptune to lose myself in the Jupiterian safety net I’ve created.

And of course, I can’t forget the gifts of belief and surrender: my “Hope” rock was a gift from a Jupiter-ruled Sagittarian, Zen Ben of the Neptunian Splintered Sunlight family.

“Everybody’s playin’ in the heart of gold band.”- Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia, Scarlet Begonias

Every Circle has a Turn

This song is dedicated to a member of the Splintered Sunlight Family who brings the dance floor to life. She’s a “bull-headed twin,” Taurus/Gemini cusp. It was written during a Sun/Mercury/N.Node conjunction in Sagittarius, squaring Mars in Virgo.

The Circle Turner

“She dances in a ring of fire and throws off the challenge with a shrug.”- Jim Morrison, All the Poems

Every circle has a turn
Everyone!
has a fire to be burned like the sun
Every circle has a turn
Everyday!
has a night to lead the way to the sun

There ain’t a square that can’t fit a circle in its box of rain
There ain’t a moon that can’t shed a light upon your windowpane
There ain’t a song that’ll keep a dancer sitting on the side
There ain’t a dancer like the lady with a twirling in her eyes

Every circle has a turn
Everyone!
has a fire to be burned like the sun
Every circle has a turn
Everyday!
has a night to lead the way to the sun

There is a girl in the midnight floating on a cloud of sound
She is a wispy, waltzy wonder, glowing round and round
She paints a circle with her arms and paints a heart with care
Take your turn upon the dance floor, follow her spinning hair

And if you feel caught up, just get your feet unstuck and let your spirit lead the way
Forget about tomorrow and yesterday, just keep your focus on today
Join the circle dancer among the sparkling notes of the guitar
She’s a jewel-maker, sundrop nightshaker stirring up the stars

Every sunrise has a light
Everyday!
is a fight to keep the darkness away.
Every morning has a sun
Everyday!
is a reason to believe in everyone.

And every circle has a turn…

Capricorn Lady

This song is dedicated to my Capricorn friend, to whom I credit my entry into the world of the Grateful Dead. She also took me to my first Splintered Sunlight show in 2009.

Earth Goddesses

There’s a woman I know, who comes and goes
She’s a gun filled with roses
She runs on the fuel from a beating heart drum.

With a fold of her arms she can shut your face down
With the gold of her heart there’s enough to go ‘round.

Oh, Capricorn lady! Maybe we can build you a home.
Let’s gather the stones of the plans you’ve delayed.
Let’s build you a home with the love that you’ve paid.
From above you were made.

I remember a time, I had fled from a lie
There was no place for hiding
I was dying in slow-motion, watching through fog.

Then I met such a lady, her spirit carefree
I was swept up in laughter when the lady swept me.

Oh, Capricorn lady! Maybe we can plant you a tree.
Let’s gather the seeds of the dreams you have shared.
Let’s plant you a tree with the hope you’ve repaired.
From strength you have dared.

In the traveling winds and the rising of Suns, there is always a keeper of words.
In a dark night of questions and mornings of ash, the Capricorn lady plows through, unabashed.

There’s a lesson I know, it comes and goes
It’s a play on the senses
It stays on my mind like a scorching hot brand.

With time I will learn it and teach it to you
With rhyme I can weave it so you can teach too.

Oh, Capricorn lady! Maybe, oh, maybe.
Oh, Capricorn lady you won’t wait for maybe.
Oh, Capricorn lady, you’ve made it already.
Oh, Capricorn lady, keep shining on, baby!

Our Friend Ben

This song was written during a new moon solar eclipse in Sagittarius for a friend of mine of the Splintered Sunlight family for his birthday.

Inside the Splintered Sunlight temple. Image source: Splintered Sunlight

He takes the chance; first to dance
in time with Mason’s Children.
We are swaying; we are pilgrims.
We have traveled from the hills to hear our songs.

He makes the rounds and hears the sounds
the beat cannot escape him.
We are family; we are kindred.
We belong amongst the wind and sun and fire.

Our friend Ben’s an early riser.
Our friend Ben’s a soul advisor.
Every morning he reminds us
that our lives are here to drive us to the sea.
The sea of peace.

We want so much but what’s the rush?
Our time is now unfolding.
We have wheels and we are rolling.
We have wealth inside the gold of our embrace.

Our friend Ben, he is a seeker.
Our friend Ben is a believer.
Every morning he reminds us
that the life we live’s a gift and we are free.
Free to believe.

Come now, children, let’s assemble in the Splintered Sunlight temple.
Bring your lights and bring your flowers; bring your power to the tower of the night.
It’s alright if you feel lonely, in the crowd you’ll find the only friend you need.
And Ben will lead the way, indeed.

Our friend Ben’s an early riser.
Our friend Ben’s a soul advisor.
Every morning he reminds us
that our friends are there to guide us to the sea.
The sea of peace.

When the Muses Meet

This song was written during a Moon, Neptune, Chiron conjunction in Aquarius opposite Mars in Leo, and a Venus, Mercury conjunction in Sagittarius. It is dedicated to the lead guitarist of Splintered Sunlight and his wife.

Butchy the Muse. Image source: Splintered Sunlight

Out on the dusky rails of road
The sun was setting up the show
I saw a woman in the sky
She was a cloudy firefly

I shifted gears into the air
My wheels-a-turnin’ up the stairs
Upon the heavenly highway
I gotta meet my woman there

When the muses meet
(When the muses meet)
Won’t you move your feet
(Why don’t you move your feet)
To the sound of love
(Yea, the sound of love)
To Mother Nature’s beat
(Oh, Mother Nature’s beat)

Across the silky strands of night
Her hair a raven-winged delight
My woman shook her locks for me
They wrapped around my heart so tight

We sailed among the leaves of rain
And washed our souls of earthly pain
I love my woman, she loves me
Oh, won’t you play our lovin’ game?

When the muses meet
(When the muses meet)
Won’t you move your feet
(Why don’t you move your feet)
To the sound of love
(Yea, the sound of love)
To Mother Nature’s beat
(Oh, Mother Nature’s beat)

There ain’t a storm or hurricane that’ll blow away our home
We got an angel on our fence and our love is garden-grown
You may be wonderin’, my friend, how to find your lovin’ land.
Me and my woman can show you—come and play with our Lovin’ Band!

Well, well, when the muses meet
(Oh, when the muses meet)
You gotta move your feet
(Why don’t you move your feet)
To the sound of love
(Yea, the sound of love)
To Mother Nature’s beat
(Oh, Mother Nature’s beat)

Yeah, yeah, when the muses meet
(Oh, when the muses meet)
Your soul will be complete
(Yeah, it’ll be complete)
You can dance in love
(Yea, you can dance in love)
To Mother Nature’s beat
(Oh, Mother Nature’s beat)

Keymaster

This song was written during a Balsamic Moon in Virgo conjunct the Sun and Venus also trining Pluto and Jupiter and opposing Neptune and Chiron, as well as a Mars/Saturn square. 

Where’d you get those hands, man?
Way to play that tune!
How’d you set my soul on fire and illuminate the room?

There are only two things, man, that can set me free.
One’s a set of keys and the other: mastery.

You must be the keymaster, you must be the release.
Set us free into the hereafter.
Set us free to be.

When will you return, man?
We will wait on end.
Why does time refuse to wait and forget about its friends?

There are only two doors, man, and you have the keys.
One door to tomorrow’s shores; the other door leads to me.

You must be the keymaster, you must be the release.
See us free into the hereafter.
Set us free to be.

I wonder how high a minute flies when an hour sticks like glue.
I don’t know how the system goes but the years stay true to you.
And my tears shine through…
My tears shine when you play the blues.

Who do you believe in, man?
We all believe in you.
Where do you find the reasons? Will you teach us when you’re through?

There are more than two truths, man, but you make the keys.
Give keys to the children; keep the master as your fee.

You must be the keymaster, you must be the release.
Set us free into the hereafter.
Set us free to be, to be, to be, to be…